Severe congestion burdening Malé City will finally receive relief once the implementation of the Maldives' regional development initiatives is fully completed, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated.
The capital’s chronic overcrowding is linked to the continuous influx of citizens relocating from across the country, President Muizzu explained during the fourth episode of 'The Pulse' podcast. Addressing the root causes of this demographic pressure requires examining how previous administrations shaped national development. To rectify these historical imbalances, the country is being divided into seven zones designated for robust urban centres.
"We are currently executing the work of an integrated development zone in the North," President Muizzu noted. He outlined plans to designate seven urban centres featuring premier hospitals and employment opportunities to curb migration. With 40 percent of the national population residing in the capital, shifting these drivers of housing, employment, and education is central to the administration’s strategy.
The government is tackling long-neglected infrastructure issues within Malé. Acknowledging that the effort to secure parking has "taken some time," President Muizzu confirmed that work on a minimum of two parking buildings will commence this year. He noted that he opted against foreign assistance for the endeavour, stating, "I do not intend to proceed in that manner."
Construction has also begun on several parking buildings in Hulhumalé. Through these combined efforts, the administration aims to provide relief to the city’s narrow thoroughfares, pursuing a comprehensive solution currently in active motion.